The Political Science Post Spring 2023
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TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
FOREWORD 2<br />
ACADEMIC AWARDS 3<br />
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 7<br />
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS 13<br />
PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR 17<br />
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS 19<br />
<strong>2023</strong> POLITICAL SCIENCE<br />
GRADUATES 23<br />
VALEDICTORIAN REMARKS 25<br />
Publisher:<br />
Jay Goodliffe, Chair<br />
Editor:<br />
J. Matthew Clarke<br />
<strong>The</strong> BYU Department of <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong>, consistent with the aims of<br />
a BYU education, intends to foster “Lifelong Learning and Service.”<br />
We hope to provide our alumni with intelligent, thoughtful and<br />
sophisticated analysis of important issues, and to act as a catalyst for<br />
service in our communities, neighborhoods, nations and the world.<br />
Graphic Designers:<br />
Seraphina Johnstun,<br />
Abby Myers<br />
1
<strong>The</strong> BYU <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> graduating class of <strong>2023</strong> spent some of their undergraduate<br />
education within the shadow of a global pandemic. Much of their education has been shrouded<br />
by a period of particularly virulent divisiveness in U.S. Politics. During the last year of their<br />
undergraduate education, a war persisted in Ukraine with global political and economic<br />
implications. Tensions and wars persist around the world. <strong>The</strong> study of politics has never been<br />
more relevant. <strong>The</strong> year <strong>2023</strong> moving forward is a time when we all need to be increasingly<br />
sensitive to the world around us, both locally and internationally, and the <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
Department hopes to have nurtured skills that will serve our students in an increasingly<br />
challenging and complex global community. Problems need to be solved, people need to<br />
be understood, different perspectives need to be acknowledged. Our students are ready for<br />
the challenges ahead, and we want to acknowledge, herein, some of their accomplishments<br />
and plans for the future. We congratulate all of our students on a job well done, and we hope<br />
they will keep in touch with us. We’re here to help, not just for a semester, or just for an<br />
undergraduate education, but for a lifetime of intellectual support. Congratulations to our<br />
<strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> graduates for <strong>2023</strong>!!<br />
FOREWORD<br />
Karl G. Maeser Building, Brigham Young University Provo<br />
2
ACADEMIC AWARDS<br />
Clara Cullen<br />
Valedictorian <strong>2023</strong><br />
Clara Cullen, a political science major with a research and analysis<br />
emphasis, is the daughter of Sven and Nancy Wilson. Raised in Provo, UT,<br />
she is a middle child and the only girl of six children. Clara loves social<br />
science research, and her co-authored piece on parental time investments<br />
was recently published in Social <strong>Science</strong>s. She is a fellow for the Center for<br />
the Study of Elections and Democracy and has presented multiple research<br />
projects at national political science conferences. In addition to being a<br />
Sigma editor, her paper on view-shaping and autonomy is published in the<br />
<strong>2023</strong> edition. She is the <strong>Political</strong> Affairs Society president and has loved<br />
the opportunity to help and learn from her peers. Clara served a mission<br />
in Frankfurt, Germany, and she enjoys reading Harry Potter in German<br />
before bed. She loves skiing, hiking, and biking, and she hopes to visit<br />
every national park one day. Clara is excited to pursue a graduate school in<br />
political science, and she is incredibly grateful for her family’s support and<br />
the meaningful mentorship she has received at BYU.<br />
Suzy Yi is from Colorado <strong>Spring</strong>s, Colorado and is a proud daughter<br />
of Korean immigrants. She served a mission in Seoul, Korea and has<br />
subsequently pursued research interests in Asian American politics. She has<br />
focused her Honors thesis on Asian American political participation and hopes<br />
to help shift the narrative of Asian Americans being apolitical. During her<br />
time at BYU, Suzy has worked as a teaching assistant and research assistant<br />
in the political science department and as a teaching assistant in the Honors<br />
program. She has been able to present research at regional conferences with<br />
her professors and has presented original research at university conferences<br />
and meetings. Suzy has also been able to intern with the South Dakota State’s<br />
Attorney’s Office and worked on projects with recidivism and rehabilitation.<br />
After graduation, Suzy plans to attend law school after a gap year and hopes to<br />
continue conducting research in immigration and civil rights law. She would<br />
like to thank her faculty mentors, family members, and husband for their<br />
support and encouragement.<br />
Suzy Yi<br />
Salutatorian <strong>2023</strong><br />
15 3
Luke Lyman<br />
Salutatorian <strong>2023</strong><br />
Luke Lyman, a political science major and art history minor, is the youngest<br />
of six boys and the sixth to graduate from BYU. A Colorado native, he is<br />
the son of Dale and Heather Lyman—who are currently serving as Mission<br />
Leaders in Mexico City. First and foremost, he would like to thank his parents<br />
and many professors who showed him what it means to be a disciple-scholar.<br />
While at BYU, Luke earned multiple grants and fellowships that enabled<br />
him to study politics and art in California, New York, and across Europe, and<br />
started his own student journal of cultural criticism. He also worked as a TA<br />
and Research Assistant in the political science and art history departments<br />
in addition to the Maxwell Institute and was published in multiple national<br />
outlets. After graduating, he will work in New York as the Hilton Kramer<br />
Fellow of Cultural Criticism at <strong>The</strong> New Criterion. In his free time, he enjoys<br />
writing and proselytizing for Bob Dylan.<br />
Michael Pulsipher, the son of Dawn and David Pulsipher, grew up in Rexburg,<br />
Idaho, where he consumed a steady diet of potatoes and politics. As early as<br />
the fourth grade, he planned to study <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> in college. At BYU,<br />
Michael worked part-time as a teaching/research assistant and full-time as<br />
a sarcastic critic in the back of the lecture hall. He joined the Summer 2022<br />
Bully Pulpit Interactive Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C., and he<br />
returned to D.C. during his final semester to participate in the Washington<br />
Seminar as a communications intern in the House of Representatives. In April<br />
<strong>2023</strong>, he published his capstone research project “Local Partisanship and<br />
Trust” in the Sigma Journal of <strong>Political</strong> and International Studies. Michael<br />
loves to cook pesto paninis, play pickleball, and watch rom-coms. He is<br />
incredibly grateful for his friends and mentors who supported him throughout<br />
his undergrad. He continues to pursue his academic and professional goals in<br />
Washington.<br />
Mike Pulsipher<br />
Salutatorian <strong>2023</strong><br />
4
GRADUATING WITH<br />
DEPARTMENTAL<br />
DISTINCTION<br />
ALEXIS ARNOLD<br />
ALIX HESS<br />
ELIZABETH JOHNSON<br />
MAY KENNEDY<br />
COLLIN MITCHELL<br />
JACOB NEWELL<br />
MORGAN RUSHFORTH<br />
GRACE THEOBALD<br />
MARIA WHITAKER
SCHOLARSHIP<br />
AWARDS<br />
STAN TAYLOR SCHOLARSHIP<br />
MEGAN BAIRD<br />
Megan is a senior studying <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> at BYU, with minors in Global<br />
Women’s Studies and Art History. She loves art museums, eating good food, and<br />
searching for wild lowers. Currently, she serves as an officer in the <strong>Political</strong> Affairs<br />
Society and the president of the Women in Politics Club. Megan is the incoming<br />
editor-in-chief for the BYU <strong>Political</strong> Review and a teaching assistant for POLI 472<br />
(the best <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> class!). She hopes to figure out her constantly changing<br />
post-grad plans and decide whether to go to law school or get a Masters degree in<br />
international affairs, but either way she has many years of school ahead. She enjoys making colorful visualizations<br />
in R and writing witty titles for research papers, which she spends too much time coming up with.<br />
ASHLAN GRUWELL<br />
Ashlan Gruwell is a senior at Brigham Young University, is majoring in political<br />
science, and hails from the swing state of Pennsylvania. She is a dedicated student and<br />
a research fellow at the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. In addition,<br />
Ashlan serves as a research assistant for Professors Monson and Patterson in the BYU<br />
political science department. Prior to her academic pursuits, Ashlan gained valuable<br />
experience as a reporter in Washington DC. Her passion for communication and<br />
writing also led her to minor in Professional Writing and Rhetoric. This summer,<br />
Ashlan will attend the Woolf Institute program at Cambridge, further broadening her<br />
perspective on world religions.<br />
Ashlan’s academic achievements extend beyond the classroom as well. She recently presented research at the MPSA<br />
conference in Chicago, showcasing her commitment to academic inquiry and professional development. Additionally,<br />
she is a member of BYU’s Honors program, demonstrating her dedication to academic excellence. Ashlan would like<br />
to express her heartfelt gratitude to her family, friends, classmates, and professors in the political science department<br />
for their unwavering support and guidance throughout her four years at BYU.<br />
7
SHARI FRANKE<br />
Shari is a Utah-native, and always dreamed of the day she could come to BYU. While<br />
she started political science wanting to go into law school, she quickly fell in love<br />
with the research and data analysis side of the major. Shari is currently working with<br />
an amazing group of research assistants to study democracy support in developing<br />
countries, such as Mexico and Peru.<br />
In her free time, you can find Shari trying to keep all of her houseplants happy and<br />
healthy—sometimes unsuccessfully. She also enjoys classic literature and cliché teen<br />
dramas.<br />
KADEN CALL<br />
Kaden is from Northern California and is finishing his second year studying political<br />
science and international diplomacy. <strong>The</strong> oldest of 6 siblings he enjoys participating<br />
in theater, music, and politics. He has always been passionate for finding ways to help<br />
organizations help people and enjoys learning about other cultures. Serving a mission in<br />
Brazil and South Carolina helped him develop a love for his countrymen and children of<br />
God all around the world. He loves BYU and all of the opportunities it has given him,<br />
including trying Model UN and the civic engagement program. After his undergraduate<br />
he hopes to attend law school to study constitutional and international religious liberty law.<br />
BRINLEY KOENIG<br />
Brinley was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and is the second oldest of four children.<br />
She is a junior studying <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> with an emphasis in <strong>Political</strong> Strategy and a<br />
minor in History. She has participated in the Washington Seminar and has interned for<br />
multiple think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation, the Sutherland Institute, and<br />
the Institute for Women’s Health. This summer, she will work for Representative John<br />
Curtis’ office in Provo before attending the Woolf Institute Direct Enrollment program<br />
in the United Kingdom. After graduating this December, Brinley plans to return to<br />
Washington, DC, to work in politics before attending law school. In her free time, she<br />
enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her friends and family, and listening to podcasts. She is grateful for the many<br />
opportunities her BYU education has granted her and is excited to continue learning about the subjects she is passionate<br />
about as she completes her degree.<br />
ABIGAIL MCEUEN<br />
Abigail McEuen is currently a junior at BYU. As a <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> major, she is<br />
passionate about diplomacy, international relations, law, and global problem solving.<br />
8
BRENT TAYLOR SCHOLARSHIP<br />
RACHEL AGUILERA<br />
Rachel was born and raised in Reston, Virginia, in proximity to D.C., which inspired<br />
an interest in the political sphere at a young age. Currently, she is a junior studying<br />
political science with minors in strategy and sociology. Her academic specialties<br />
reflect her life-long passion for advocacy and the betterment of her community. She<br />
hopes to graduate next winter and plans on furthering her education by attending<br />
graduate school. Rachel has been involved on campus through various clubs and<br />
organizations that focus on addressing social and political issues, including the Anti-<br />
Racism club and <strong>The</strong>ir Story is Our Story. Outside of school, she enjoys reading,<br />
crocheting, and hiking.<br />
DALTON LUTZ<br />
Dalton Lutz is a Senior studying <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong>, who grew up in a small town in<br />
North Carolina. With a strong passion for the legal field, Dalton plans to further his<br />
education by attending law school after graduation. His interest in different cultures<br />
and their ways of life stems from his mission in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where he had<br />
the opportunity to experience firsthand the diverse customs and beliefs of the people.<br />
Dalton’s love for travel and learning about different cultures is complemented by his<br />
strong values of faith, family, and friends. He believes that these three elements form<br />
the foundation for a fulfilling life. Dalton is a driven individual who aims to make a<br />
difference in the world through his legal career, while always remaining grounded in<br />
his values.<br />
7
G. KEVIN JONES SCHOLARSHIP<br />
SHAYLA HENDRICKS<br />
Shayla was raised in Highland, Utah and attended American Fork High School. She<br />
enjoys playing soccer and basketball, running, and going on hikes. After attending<br />
a year at BYU, she served a mission in Fresno, California. Once she returned from<br />
her mission, she met her future husband playing co-ed intramural soccer. She is<br />
majoring in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> and minoring in International Strategy and Diplomacy<br />
and Nonprofit Management. She hopes to one day work for the State Department or<br />
manage an international nonprofit.<br />
OLIVIA KEATING<br />
Olivia is currently a senior studying political science with a minor in legal studies.<br />
After graduating from BYU this fall, she is planning to attend law school. Olivia grew<br />
up in Highland, Utah with her mom, dad, and five siblings. She served her mission in<br />
Nashville, Tennessee. Olivia was lucky enough to participate in the Washington<br />
Seminar at BYU and worked for Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto of Nevada. In<br />
addition to this, she has also participated in many on-campus organizations including<br />
the BYU Student Association, the Pre-Law Association, and the Civic Engagement<br />
Club. Outside of school, Olivia enjoys participating in local theater, teaching dance,<br />
and traveling.<br />
MCKENNA MATHESON<br />
McKenna is an upcoming senior from Portland, Oregon. She is studying political<br />
science with a minor in Global Women’s Studies and plans to earn her JD/MPP after<br />
graduating. Currently, McKenna serves as Co-President of the Global Women’s<br />
Studies Honor Society and the Events Coordinator of the Women in Politics club. She<br />
also works as a gender and politics research assistant and is helping her team prepare<br />
to study women’s political participation in Malaysia this upcoming summer. When<br />
she’s not writing essays or catching up on the Mandalorian, McKenna loves to travel,<br />
rock climb, and eat chocolate!<br />
HANNAH CRISER<br />
Hannah is a sophomore majoring in political science from Morgantown, West Virginia.<br />
She served a mission in Newport Beach, California where she learned Spanish. She is<br />
currently working as a research assistant for Dr. Kelly Patterson studying politics in <strong>The</strong><br />
Book of Mormon, as well as a teaching assistant and research consultant in the Research<br />
and Writing Center at the Harold B. Lee Library. She has worked and volunteered on<br />
five political campaigns thus far, both in West Virginia and Utah. She is planning on<br />
attending law school or pursuing a graduate degree in urban planning. Her hobbies<br />
include genealogy, reading, getting 8 hours of sleep, and being the life of the party<br />
wherever she goes.<br />
10
NOEL AND SYDNEY REYNOLDS SCHOLARSHIP<br />
ANNA DAVIS NAKAYA<br />
Anna Nakaya is a senior political science major from Dallas, Texas who loves debate,<br />
art, music, and games. She hopes to pursue a PhD at a top school following her<br />
graduation from the political science program.<br />
Anna is a philosophy minor and is interested in the topic of American individualism<br />
within political philosophy and the international political economy of women. She<br />
hopes to eventually provide the fields of political science and philosophy with new<br />
knowledge to help counteract the negative impacts of increasing polarization and also<br />
to close the gender data gap in social sciences.<br />
SPENCER KLOPFER<br />
Spencer is a rising Senior double majoring in Economics and <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong>. He<br />
plans to attend law school after graduating from BYU. He loves individual liberty and<br />
wants to help individuals secure their rights through the law. He is the fourth of five<br />
children and lived in six different states while growing up. Spencer served his mission<br />
in Brasilia, Brazil and New York City, and he speaks Portuguese and Spanish.<br />
LAURA PACHECO<br />
Laura was born and raised in Long Branch, NJ. Laura’s passion for politics stems<br />
from her father’s active role as a Latino community leader. From a young age, she<br />
was captivated by the intersection of society and government, leading her to study<br />
political science with a minor in sociology at BYU.<br />
Upon graduating, Laura plans to contribute to the field by conducting research for<br />
policymakers and the public through a think tank. Laura has worked as a teaching<br />
assistant for Intro to Comparative Politics and Multicultural America. She exemplifies<br />
her dedication to promoting equality and support as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion<br />
officer through BYU <strong>Political</strong> Affairs Society. With her experience and interests,<br />
Laura hopes to make a meaningful contribution to the world of politics.<br />
DALLIN HOYT<br />
Dallin is a senior at BYU studying <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> with a second major in Spanish<br />
Studies. He loves being outside in nature and will take any opportunity he gets to<br />
climb, hike, and explore what the earth has to offer. His passion for nature inspires<br />
him to work in environmental politics with the hope of leading the redivision of the<br />
Colorado river among the western states. He plans on interning in DC this summer<br />
working for a data analysis and polling firm, going on a few big adventures, and then<br />
diving into the nitty gritty of federal and state environmental oversight.<br />
11
NOEL AND SYDNEY REYNOLDS SCHOLARSHIP<br />
SYDNEY JEZIK<br />
Originally from Wisconsin, Sydney moved to Utah for college when she was 17, and<br />
quickly fell in love with the mountains and the university setting. She is an avid student<br />
of history, government, politics, literature, and religion.<br />
She hopes to work in the intersection of government and religion, to promote civil<br />
discourse and cooperation, and to advocate for the marginalized. This scholarship will<br />
help her achieve her desire to making the world a better place.<br />
BELLE DE LA ROSA-THOMPSON<br />
Belle De La Rosa-Thompson is a senior finishing her degree this fall <strong>2023</strong> in <strong>Political</strong><br />
<strong>Science</strong> major with an emphasis in Global Development. Belle has been an editor<br />
for the Pre-Law Review 2021-2022 and the BYU Sigma <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> and<br />
International Studies Journal 2022-<strong>2023</strong>. Being the first female American from both<br />
sides of her family, and having grown up in both the U.S. and Argentina, Belle knew<br />
from a very young age that she wanted to help immigrants who come to the U.S. –just<br />
like how she and her family were helped. Belle earned her Associate of Arts from<br />
Utah Valley University her senior year in high school and then chose to serve an 18-month mission. She was assigned to<br />
Cochabamba, Bolivia and served there for all of 2019 up until the end of the year when the civil coup erupted and forced<br />
her and all U.S. missionaries to take refuge in Sao Paolo, Brazil. <strong>The</strong>re, she was reassigned to finish her last 6 months in<br />
Santa Fe, New Mexico. Being fluent in 4 languages has enabled Belle in working with several refugees in her missions<br />
and with immigrants back home. <strong>The</strong>se experiences reassured her to pursue a law degree. She is the first in her family<br />
from both sides to pursue a graduate degree.<br />
Belle loves to cook, latin dance, travel, and spend any time she can with her husband–whom she loves dearly. A fun fact<br />
about Belle is that she is the lead singer of the female mariachi band, Color de Rosas–they have performed for Governor<br />
Cox, Gail Miller, and several non-profits such as the Utah Period Project 2022 and Ella Rises 2021.<br />
ANNE MINNICK<br />
Anne is a senior studying <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> and Sociology at BYU. She graduated high<br />
school in Newnan, Georgia. After graduating, she plans on attending law school.<br />
She loves running, hiking, kayaking, playing the drums, and getting to know new people.<br />
She is passionate about women’s rights and immigration reform.<br />
12
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS<br />
PI SIGMA ALPHA<br />
New Pi Sigma Alpha Members<br />
Mark Jeffrey Ahrens<br />
Alexis Rachele Arnold<br />
Tanner S. Bennett<br />
Emeline Benson<br />
Julia Chatterley<br />
Ali Critchfield<br />
Belle I. De La Rosa-Thompson<br />
Darin Alexander Dewsnup<br />
Matthew R. Gearheart<br />
Meggan Green<br />
Marshall Scott Job<br />
Abigail McEuen<br />
Tim C. McKeon<br />
Katelyn Ruby Moore<br />
Nicholas Mortenson<br />
Jacob N. Newell<br />
Isaac Overson<br />
Tanner P. Pomeroy<br />
Natalie Reese<br />
Caleb Chad Ringger<br />
Brenton Schnepf<br />
Christopher Nathaniel Sherrill<br />
Makenna Rae Stringam<br />
Mary Grace Troseth<br />
Angelina N. Wade<br />
Suzy Soochong Yi<br />
Grace Burns<br />
13<br />
Pi Sigma Alpha, the National <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> Honor Society, is the only honor<br />
society for college and university students of political and social sciences in the<br />
United States. Its purpose is to recognize and promote high academic achievement<br />
in the field of political science. It is a member of the Association of College Honor<br />
Societies (ACHS) and adheres to all the standards set by ACHS for an upper-division,<br />
specialized honor society. Pi Sigma Alpha is not a social fraternity or club.
12
G. KEVIN JONES SIGMA WRITING AWARDS<br />
Best Paper Contest<br />
1st: Jody Messick, “<strong>The</strong> Impact of Gender on the Acceptance of Surveillance<br />
Technology”<br />
Jody Messick was born in Hong Kong to Athena and Owen Messick as the youngest of<br />
five children. Eventually, her amily moved to Shanghai, China, where she lived until<br />
she relocated to Provo to pursue her bachelor’s degree at BYU. Given her background,<br />
she decided to study international relations with an emphasis in Asian politics and<br />
history. Throughout her time at BYU, Jody worked as a teaching assistant and research<br />
assistant for the <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> department. Jody’s mother is a professor at Fudan<br />
University in Shanghai and has inspired her to be a lifelong learner. Jody graduated this past December and plans to<br />
attend law school in the fall, where she hopes to sharpen her critical thinking and writing skills. She aspires to focus her<br />
career around bridges between the U.S. and China, whether that be through business or politics. Outside of school and<br />
work, Jody likes to participate in team sports, read, be outdoors, and travel. She draws inspiration from her family and<br />
loves spending time with her siblings, all of whom now live in Utah.<br />
2nd: Bryant McConkie, “Explaining Guatemalan Vigilantism”<br />
Bryant McConkie is the third of four children born to Lynne and Paul McConkie,<br />
and was raised in Bountiful, Utah. He married his wife, Liberty, in 2021, and they are<br />
excited to welcome their first child, a baby boy, in August. Bryant served a mission<br />
in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, where his experiences witnessing ethnic segregation,<br />
extrajudicial policing, and rampant immigration inspired much of his undergraduate<br />
research and ultimately led to an interest in law. He will attend SJ Quinney College<br />
of Law in the fall, following in the legal steps of his father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather.<br />
He enjoys watching the Utah Jazz and cheering on the Cougars, as well<br />
as playing Wiffle Ball and visiting small Utah towns with his wife. He would like to<br />
thank his wife and family for their support, and acknowledge the invaluable<br />
mentorship he has received from BYU faculty over the years.<br />
3rd: Caleb Ringger, “<strong>The</strong> Sino-Soviet Split: A Domestic Ideology Analysis”<br />
Caleb Ringger is the son of Alisa and Chad Ringger and is the oldest of four children.<br />
He grew up in Medford, Oregon and served a mission in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It<br />
was on his mission that he discovered his deep passion for politics, history, languages,<br />
and law. He is currently a junior at Brigham Young University earning a major in<br />
<strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> and a minor in Professional Writing & Rhetoric. He is an author for<br />
the BYU <strong>Political</strong> Review and an undergraduate fellow at the Center for the Study<br />
of Elections and Democracy, where he has conducted research into extremism and<br />
conspiracy theories. He has worked as a Teaching Assistant for writing and statistics<br />
classes in the <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> department for the last year. After graduating from BYU, he plans on attending law school<br />
and practicing some kind of intellectual property law. In his free time, he enjoys reading about history, watching sports,<br />
and writing about music.<br />
15
Honorable Mentions ($100 each)<br />
Jonah Phillips: “An Ironic Alliance: <strong>The</strong> Domestic Foundations of Qatar’s Support for Democratic Revolution<br />
Abroad”<br />
Clara Cullen: “View-shaping, First Personal Authority, and the Asymmetry between Providing and<br />
Withholding”<br />
Isaac Lamoreaux: “<strong>The</strong> Growing Greens: How Young <strong>Post</strong>materialists Delivered Electoral Success for the<br />
German Green Party in 2021”<br />
Mike Pulsipher and Kelsey Eyre: “Local Partisan Agreement and Trust”<br />
Suzy Yi: “Party Contacting, Group Identity, and COVID-19: An Analysis of Asian American Voter Turnout in<br />
2020”<br />
BYU PAS Student Executives for <strong>2023</strong>-24<br />
Co-President: Julia Chatterley; Co-President: Megan Baird; Women in Politics President: Ally Stolworthy<br />
Thank you to our outgoing BYU PAS Executives:<br />
Clara Cullen (President); Tayla Ingles and Jackson Berthold (VPs); Megan Baird (WIP President); Kendra Pinegar, Grace<br />
Burns, Joe Peterson, Julia Chatterley and Amy Kurtzweil, Kate Moore and Laura Pacheco, Ali Critchfield.<br />
12
PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR<br />
ETHAN BUSBY<br />
Ethan Busby is Assistant Professor of American Politics, and joined BYU<br />
<strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> over the summer of 2020. Ethan is a political psychologist<br />
specializing in extremism, public opinion, racial and ethnic politics, and<br />
quantitative methods. More specifically, his work explores what extremism is<br />
and what encourages and discourages extremism. He considers both a general<br />
approach to extremism and several specific kinds – including racial extremism,<br />
partisan extremism, and populism. His research on extremism relies on various methods, using lab experiments,<br />
quasi-experiments, survey experiments, text-as-data, surveys, and big data from Google and Twitter.<br />
Ethan received his Ph.D. in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> from Northwestern University, 2018, an M.A. in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
from Northwestern University, 2015, and a B.A. in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> from Brigham Young University, 2013.<br />
Ethan’s family lived in various places growing up, including New York State until he was 9. His dad was a<br />
professor who moved from New York back to Utah. <strong>The</strong>n his father took a job in Lubbock, Texas. Each place<br />
was 5-6 years. Ethan went to High school in <strong>Spring</strong>ville, Utah. His parents still live in Mapleton. He started<br />
studying acting in college, and just sort of changed what he wanted. He studied people and why they do the<br />
things they do. He liked politics, and liked talking about politics, and went with it.<br />
BYU <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> faculty members Kelly Patterson, and David Magleby helped him along the way. He<br />
began wondering why things were going on in the world, why were people thinking a certain way, and what<br />
they were thinking.<br />
His wife and he have two children, and he is sleep deprived now. <strong>The</strong>y met at Northwestern, she is a social<br />
scientist. Before BYU he was at Clemson teaching Poli Sci. Current colleagues were influential: Chris<br />
Karpowitz, Dan Nielson. Nice to have them as colleagues. He lives in Orem.<br />
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PIC OF CAMPUS<br />
26
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS<br />
DANIEL ADAIR - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
Aa a <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> student, I had lots of opportunities to see the world thorugh the eyes of minority groups and better<br />
understand their perspectives. I am incredibly grateful to my parents, my siblings, and my fiance. Without them, I would<br />
not have been able to accomplish everything that I have. I am getting married this summer, and after a break to work, I<br />
will go to law school.<br />
SAMANTHA BAILEY<br />
I spent my time at BYU as an analyst and Chief Editor for the National Security Student<br />
Association’s web journal Praemon. I was also able to work as a research assistant on<br />
the Scandinavian LDS Women’s Hostory Project and the Global Families Research<br />
Initiative. <strong>The</strong>se opportunities allowed me to take my learning beyond the classroom,<br />
and I was able to present my work at several research conferences.<br />
ALEXANDRA CAPPILLO-MONTES DE LIZAMA - Bachelor’s in<br />
<strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
I am very grateful for the wonderful support system I have had throughout my<br />
whole college experience. In particular, I am grateful for my husband, Jose<br />
Angel Lizama, my mother Nancy, my second pair of parents, Nick and Suzen<br />
Bria, my in-laws, Jose and Sariah Lizama, and my best friend, Mariana de<br />
Souza. I thank all the wonderful scholarships and grants that have allowed me to<br />
graduate from BYU without incurring any debt. <strong>The</strong>se scholarships and grants<br />
include: the Multicultural Scholarships, the Jack and Marilyn Roberts Scholarship, the Gene and Gwen Wickes<br />
Scholarships, the Brigham Young Grant, and lastly, FAFSA. I have obtained a position at the Rogers & Russell<br />
law firm.<br />
JOHN CHERRINGTON - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
I will be preparing for the GMAT and applying to MBA programs while I continue to work at Regions | EnerBank USA.<br />
MATT GEARHEART - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
Matt loved the football games and gospel-supported learning in classes. He is grateful for his parents, Scott and Cindy, and<br />
his wife, Kayla. On to law school!<br />
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ALEX DEWSNUP - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
Alex enjoyed pursuing an education in a place surrounded by people committed to<br />
both spiritual and secular growth. Also, the friendships and unforgettable experiences<br />
forged during my time at BYU. <strong>The</strong> best part of his education was his legislative<br />
internship with the Utah House of Representatives! I am grateful for my wife, family,<br />
friends, coworkers, and professors for inspiring and supporting me to do my best<br />
work every day. Pursuing a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney<br />
College of Law, starting Fall <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
ALIX HESS - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
My favorite things about BYU? My mentorship of my brilliant professors and<br />
all the friends made along the way! Honorable mentions include Y Mountain,<br />
Model UN, less commonly taught language courses, and the music the library<br />
plays over the intercom when it closes.<br />
Model United Nations competitor and teaching assistant, Sigma Iota Rho VP of<br />
Outreach, International Law Student Association, Washington Seminar Summer<br />
2022 cohort, Cougar Consulting Group Analyst, and SIGMA academic journal editor. Minors in International<br />
Strategy and Diplomacy as well as Business. Named Kennedy Scholar and Wade Jacoby Inspiring Learning<br />
Scholar. Recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Grant. In January, I took a position in D.C. as Program<br />
Coordinator for the Washington International Business Council.<br />
MELE NGALU - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
BYU is not easy. It has stretched and enriched my mind and spirit. My BYU experience<br />
has taught me to be more courageous, persevering, diligent, honest, and charitable.<br />
Aside from the secular education I have received, I am most grateful for the experiences<br />
that have led me to have a stronger testimony of my Heavenly Father and Savior.<br />
I am grateful for my parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins who have been<br />
supportive throughout the journey. I am grateful for my friends who were there for<br />
me since I began this journey in 2016. I am also grateful for my MSS counselor (who has since retired), Estela! I will be<br />
working as Executive Assistant and Manager at Bacon Inc. I am excited to further my experience in preparation for my<br />
desire to return to school to receive my MBA in 2 years.<br />
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HAYDEN REEVE - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> faculty have such a breadth of experience that I felt like I was brushing shoulders<br />
with those whom history will see as giants in their field. For so many classes, I<br />
walked away with a greater depth of understanding for my subject-matter and a<br />
stronger belief in my ability to be an emissary of Christ throughout my life. I couldn’t<br />
name another university that gives this to its students.<br />
To date, the most difficult class I ever took at BYU was POLI 200 with Professor<br />
Christensen. <strong>The</strong> class required hours of reading and writing that felt like it was<br />
stretching my soul. However, that class refined me in a way that almost no other class at BYU has. It refined my writing<br />
and critical thinking skills in such a way that I have constantly refer back to lessons he taught. I was dealing with a lot that<br />
semester, but even today I am in awe at how much information I still retain from that class and how often I continue to use<br />
it. Professor Christensen helped me to self-improve and be optimistic about my prospects. I was not his best student, but<br />
he is one of my favorite professors and people.<br />
I will be working with the Government Accountability Project during the summer working on their National Security<br />
Whistleblower program. I will continue to look for employment in the national security apparatus with the goal of one day<br />
becoming an ambassador for the United States.<br />
NATHAN SEAL - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
I love the people at BYU and how so many peculiar organizations, and<br />
resources are available to support the various students. Interning during<br />
the 2022 general session, and working with Representative Maloy and the<br />
Legislative Office of Research and General Counsel full-time gave me so<br />
many useful lessons for life and the profession.<br />
I am grateful for CAPS and the UAC for getting me the help I needed when I<br />
was at my weakest. I’ll have fond memories of Student Development, EXDM, Swell, and Dance classes forever.<br />
I am so glad I took advantage of various professors’ office hours, excellent teaching assistants, the writing<br />
center, BYUSA (specifically the Mission Inclusivity Club) and the HBLL. Special shout out to the internship<br />
office, BYU Parking, BYU Laundry, Food to Go, and Aspen Grove for great student employment.<br />
LAUREN TIPPS - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> best learning experience I had was participating in my research capstone class and<br />
presenting at the Fulton <strong>Post</strong>er Conference. My family and friends. I would not be where<br />
I am without the support they gave me throughout my college career. I am planning to<br />
start my career in Human Resources.<br />
21
ABBIGAIL THACKER - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
My favorite learning experience was taking International Law with Professor Ray<br />
Christensen. I am so grateful to all of my professors throughout the years. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
helped me to understand so much more about the world that we live in and what I can<br />
do to help make it better. Furthermore, they have inspired me in a multitude of ways.<br />
I am also grateful for all the fellow classmates that I have had. <strong>The</strong> comments that<br />
they have shared have had some of the greatest impacts in my learning experience.<br />
Finally, I am grateful to my friends and family that have supported me through the<br />
long nights of studying, I could not have done this without them. After graduation I hope to attend law school.<br />
ALVARO MOLINA - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
My favorite thing about BYU is the access to professors who want nothing more than to see you succeed. <strong>The</strong> best<br />
learning experience I have had has been being a TA for <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong> 200. I learned a lot about myself, my teaching<br />
style, and the best way to help others pass a difficult class. I’m grateful for wonderful professors like Dr. Darren Hawkins<br />
and Dr. David Romney.<br />
CAMDEN REESE -<br />
Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
KATHRYN FONTANO -<br />
Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
LANDON HOOLEY - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
PRESTON LAU - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
SEBASTIAN STEWART-JOHNSON - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
CLARA CULLEN - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
NOAH BOUTON - Bachelor’s in <strong>Political</strong> <strong>Science</strong><br />
22
<strong>2023</strong> POLITICAL<br />
SCIENCE GRADUATES<br />
Adair, Daniel Kenneth<br />
Albello, Samuel Shemrah<br />
Aldridge, Luke Swain<br />
Allred, Sarah Eliza<br />
Anderson, Madison Lynne<br />
Anderson, Russel Aaron<br />
Anderson, Tabitha Emily<br />
Arnold, Alexis Rachele<br />
Bailey, Samantha Nicole<br />
Baldwin, Michael James<br />
Balfe, Fischer Edward<br />
Barrett, George Vincent<br />
Bates, Grace Alice<br />
Beckstead, Colby<br />
Beeson, Jane Layton<br />
Begay, Sunni Laila<br />
Bouton, Noah Christopher<br />
Bowen, Jordan Taylor<br />
Bronson, Evynn Charlene<br />
Brown, Hanna<br />
Butler, Kannon DiVon<br />
Camp, Samuel Howard<br />
Cann, Megan Celeste<br />
Cannon, Spencer Layne<br />
Cappillo Montes, Alexandra<br />
Carrillo, Tania Yadira<br />
Chalmers, Jon Wallace<br />
Charles, Amelia Anne<br />
Cherrington, John Robert<br />
Childers, Ansel Charles<br />
Christensen, Cole McGwire<br />
Collier, Brittany Ashleen<br />
Crawford, Benjamin Michael<br />
Cullen, Clara Wilson<br />
Dastrup, Amie Nicole<br />
Dewsnup, Darin Alexander<br />
Diether, Elle<br />
Doney, Karlie Londyn<br />
Duersch, Molly<br />
Fawcett, Davis Darin<br />
Fernandez, Samuel Emigdio<br />
Flake, Dallin Bae<br />
Fleming, William Coleton<br />
Flick, Emma Lorraine<br />
Fontano, Kathryn Eileen<br />
Forrest, Duncan John<br />
Foster, Katie Elizabeth<br />
Foutz, Benjamin Eric<br />
Freeman, Jefferey Alan<br />
Gearheart, Matthew Ray<br />
Gracia, Shanay Gloria<br />
Griffeth, McKenzie Lynn<br />
Habashi, Bryan Robert Hazard<br />
Hale, Dallin Jerron<br />
Harris, Romney Hendricks<br />
Hartman, Naomi<br />
Harvey, Elizabeth Julianna<br />
Hayward, Christian S<br />
Heard, Melissa Jane<br />
Herrera, Joshua Aaron<br />
Hess, Alix Nicole<br />
Hodges, Brett Ashton<br />
Holmes, James Austin<br />
Holmes, Chance Jacob<br />
Hooley, Landon Eric<br />
Hunt, Katheryn Elizabeth<br />
Hurst, William Keegan<br />
Huston, Fiona Aileen<br />
Hwang, Yunha<br />
Ingles, Tayla Belle<br />
Jacobson, Kaitlyn Ann<br />
Jankowski, Dayna Elizabeth<br />
Jarvis, Joshua Andrew<br />
Jensen, Anders Frank<br />
Johnson, Jonah<br />
Johnson, Elizabeth Jane<br />
Johnson, Cody Lee<br />
Jubeck, Kray Allen<br />
Kennedy, May Christine<br />
Kennedy, Joseph Michael<br />
Khatami, Kimia<br />
Kramer, Nathan Michael<br />
Lamoreaux, Isaac Ullman<br />
Lane, Julia Eve
CONGRATULATIONS TO<br />
OUR GRADUATES!<br />
Lau, Preston David<br />
Lee, Savana<br />
Lund, Brittany Elizabeth<br />
Lunt, Jacob Nathaniel<br />
Lyman, Luke Daniel<br />
Mahoney, Sheamus Michael<br />
Martin, Madison Nicole<br />
Maughan, Jacob Mark<br />
Maynard, Miranda Kay<br />
McBride, Allie Nicole<br />
Miller, Weston Wade<br />
Mitchell, Collin Kirk<br />
Molina, Alvaro Enrique<br />
Moreti de Vasconcelos Gome,<br />
Isabella<br />
Mortenson, Nicholas David<br />
Newell, Jacob Neil<br />
Ngalu, Mele Tamole Kaulalani<br />
Nickerson, Simon Robert<br />
Olsen, Savannah Jean<br />
Orencia, Aurea Bianca Ign<br />
Overson, Isaac Dale<br />
Packer, James Jeffrey<br />
Pauole, Preston<br />
Pearson, Bethany Jane<br />
Penner, Cameron<br />
Perry, Autumn Lee<br />
Petersen, Lauren Brooke<br />
Pitts, Ethan Gabriel Thomas<br />
Pomeroy, Tanner Patrick<br />
Puffer, Benjamin Ward<br />
Pulsipher, Michael David<br />
Quesenberry, Sarah Malaine<br />
Raleigh, Daniel Christian<br />
Randall, Kyle Bruce<br />
Reese, Camden David<br />
Reese, Natalie Emma<br />
Reeve, Hayden D<br />
Rogerson, Connor Michael<br />
Rosario, Isabella<br />
Rudy, Spencer Paul<br />
Rushforth, Morgan Elizabeth<br />
Russell, Mitch<br />
Sanofsky, Erika Joan<br />
Schlesinger, Madison Ruth<br />
Seal, Nathan Hunter<br />
Shaw, Whitney<br />
Sherbert, Madelynn Grace<br />
Smith, Arabella<br />
Smith, Joshua Joseph Shumway<br />
Smith, Macy Marie<br />
Spencer, Pearl Elizabeth<br />
Spriggs, Jordan Devon<br />
Starr, Alec<br />
Stewart-Johnson, Sebastian<br />
Suaava, Desttany Legaloimoe<br />
Sumsion, Amy Rose<br />
Sweetin, Zachary Jordan<br />
Tanner, Megan Brooke<br />
Thacker, Abbigail Slade<br />
<strong>The</strong>obald, Grace Ellen<br />
Tipps, Lauren Mattie<br />
Toney, Noah Michael<br />
Trendler, Dallin Jeff<br />
Wade, Angelina Nichole<br />
Welch, Jameson Charles<br />
Welch, Brigham Thomas<br />
West, Blake Addison<br />
Westberg, Darrin Troy<br />
Whitaker, Maria Kathryn<br />
Williams, Michael James<br />
Wilson, Ashleigh Brook<br />
Wimmer, Micah<br />
Wolthuis, Jack Hennis<br />
Woodfield, Abigail<br />
Woods, Courtney Annette<br />
Workman, Samuel Eric<br />
Yi, Suzy Soochong<br />
Zuniga, Bonnieblue<br />
24
VALEDICTORIAN<br />
REMARKS<br />
Congratulations, graduates! We have reached the end of our undergraduate journey at BYU.<br />
As I reflect upon my own experience at BYU, I am filled with gratitude. We have all been told that gratitude leads to<br />
happiness. I would suggest that part of the reason for this is that reflecting on what we are grateful for can guide our future<br />
actions and perspectives in positive ways.<br />
Now that I’m on the other side, I’m grateful for how challenging our major was. I remember entering my first political<br />
science class and approaching the professor, concerned about the immense time it took me to read and understand research<br />
articles. But thanks to her helpful tips and resources, and much practice and work on my part, I, like the rest of you,<br />
can now quickly and accurately understand, interpret, and communicate large amounts of information. And so now, I’m<br />
grateful to our program and professors for the opportunities we’ve had to learn and improve. For teaching us how to turn a<br />
terrible first draft into an insightful final paper. For teaching us how to move into and through an intellectual challenge and<br />
how to put aside pride to receive feedback and make improvements. For giving us the skills to be confident in our ability<br />
to produce good work, but also the awareness that doing so is a process, not a singular event.<br />
As BYU political science students, we are taught how to think about and engage with many of the most meaningful and<br />
difficult issues of life. I am grateful that political science has taught me to think critically, regarding both the information<br />
I come across and my own opinions and biases. We have learned to identify and understand the meaning and intent of<br />
a speaker and how to evaluate evidence provided (or not provided). We have been given tools to research and evaluate<br />
arguments in their larger context, often a context with conflicting data and views. We have been taught how to grapple<br />
with the reality that problems and solutions are rarely simple.<br />
Perhaps more importantly, we have been taught to think critically while being both compassionate and faithful. Although<br />
we understand that good decisions and policies should be grounded in research, we have come to understand that<br />
data represent more than just numbers; they reflect real people – people with families and dreams and struggles. We<br />
have learned to approach solutions and difficult discussions in ways that are respectful and empathetic toward other<br />
perspectives and experiences. In ways that are led by a love for the good of humanity. In ways grounded in the faith in a<br />
good and loving God, and in a Savior who will heal the messiness of our world.<br />
Most of all, I’m grateful to the many individuals who provide daily evidence that good in the world is worth pursuing. I’m<br />
grateful to the exceptional professors in our department, without whom none of the preceding points would have existed.<br />
I’m grateful for their dedication not just to their work and research, but to their students and our growth. I am grateful for<br />
the many friends I’ve made during my time at BYU and for my supportive family. We are so blessed to be surrounded<br />
by individuals and a community whose goodness continually reminds us to be compassionate, forgiving, hopeful, and<br />
proactive.<br />
And so, Class of <strong>2023</strong>, I encourage you to reflect on your own experiences, what you are grateful for, and how that<br />
gratitude can guide you as you embark on the next chapter of your life.<br />
Clara Wilson Cullen, Valedictorian, Class of <strong>2023</strong><br />
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